In al-Tadamon neighborhood in Damascus, an armed forces unit managed to kill three snipers who were holed up in a room and shooting at the at the armed forces.

Terrorists Repelled while Trying to Block Road in Damascus Countryside

In Damascus Countryside, a group of mercenary terrorists tried to block a main road in the town of Erbin and was repelled by the authorities.

The authorities clashed with the terrorists inflicting heavy losses upon them.

Authorities Seize Weapons, Communication Devices in Damascus

Authorities seized a car loaded with huge amounts of weapons, ammunition, grenades, detonators and advanced communication devices in al-Sina’a area in Damascus.

Terrorist Group Kidnaps Photographer

An armed terrorist group kidnapped photographer Talal Janbakli, the Syrian TV laid the countries which are supporting the terrorists responsible for the safety of Janbakli.

Large Number of Terrorists Killed in Aleppo City

Units from the armed forces continued chasing down the armed terrorist groups in the neighborhoods of al-Hamadaniyeh, al-Sukari and Salah-Eddin in the city of Aleppo.

An official source told SANA reporter that the armed forces clashed with the terrorists in the aforementioned neighborhoods inflicting heavy losses upon them.

The source said that tens of terrorists were killed in the clashes and many others were arrested after handing themselves and their weapons in, while several terrorists managed to escape.

Another source in Aleppo province told SANA that the armed forces units continued to pursue terrorists in several other neighborhoods in Aleppo city including al-Sakhour, Bab al-Nairab, Salah Eddin, Saif al-Dawla, al-Furqan and al-Kallasa, killing a large number of terrorists and arresting others, while scores of terrorists surrendered their weapons and turned themselves in.

The source said that many of the terrorists that were killed or arrested were of Arab and foreign nationalities.

Also in Aleppo, the locals of al-Qaterji neighborhood confronted terrorist groups which attempted to attack the neighborhood, preventing the terrorists from entering it.

Terrorists Killed and Their Cars Destroyed in Aleppo Countryside

In Aleppo countryside, the authorities on Saturday chased two cars driven by terrorists in the area of Qubtan al-Jabal.

A source in the province told SANA reporter that the cars were completely destroyed and the terrorists inside them were killed.

Terrorists Killed during Attempt to Storm Aleppo TV & Radio Center

An official source in Aleppo described the information broadcast by some misleading media about the terrorists’ domination on the TV and Radio Center in Aleppo as baseless and untrue.

SANA reporter quoted the source as saying that the competent authorities clashed Friday evening with armed terrorist groups at the Radio neighborhood which tried to storm the Center, killing or injuring a big number of them while others escaped.

In a relevant context, the authorities clashed with an armed terrorist group in Khan al-Asal to the west of Aleppo. The clash led to the killing and injuring of big number of terrorists, confiscating their weapons and ammunitions.

Scores of Terrorists Masquerading as Armed Forces Arrested in Daraa

In Daraa countryside, scores of terrorists wearing Syrian Arab Army uniforms who had been planning to commit crimes and blame them on the army were arrested by an armed forces unit.

Large Number of Terrorists Killed, others Surrender to Authorities in Hama

Authorities seized on Saturday an explosive device warehouse in al-Qusour neighborhood in Homs.

A source in Homs province told SANA correspondent that the authorities found inside the warehouse 16 explosive devices and 150 hand grenades and a number of devices containing poisonous materials set to be remotely detonated.

Tens of Fleeing Terrorists Killed or Injured in Homs City

Clashes erupted between the authorities and armed terrorist groups that blocked roads and shot at passersby in the areas of Talbiseh and al-Rastan in the countryside of Homs.

A source in the province told SANA reporter that a large number of terrorists were killed in the clashes while many others were injured.

The source also mentioned that the authorities repelled an armed terrorist group that tried to flee Jourat al-Shaiyah, after being hardly hit by the armed forces, to the neighborhood of al-Qarabis in the city of Homs.

The authorities, the source added, clashed with the fleeing terrorist group causing tens of deaths and injuries among its members.

A Number of Terrorists Killed, Injured in Clashes with Authorities in al-Qseir, Homs

The authorities on Friday ambushed an armed terrorist group at al-Mazare area near al-Nahriya village in al-Qseir, Homs, killing or injuring many of them and destroying their car equipped with Doshka machine gun.

In the same context, a source in Homs stated that the authorities ambushed an armed terrorist group near the municipality building at al-Burhaniya town in al-Qseir, inflicting heavy losses among them.

Authorities Inflict Heavy Losses upon Terrorists in Idleb

Authorities clashed with an armed terrorist group in al-Janoudiyeh village in Jisr al-Shughour in Idleb, killing and wounding many of its members.

A source in the province told SANA reporter that the clash resulted in the killing of some terrorists and seizing their weapons.

The source said that the authorities arrested Akram al-Baghl, a leader of an armed terrorist group, and a number of terrorists.

The authorities also pursued an armed terrorist group in Kherbet al-Jawziyeh village in Jisr al-Shughour, arrested 4 terrorists and killed the rest.

Three Explosive Devices Dismantled in Ariha, Idleb Countryside

Military engineering units dismantled three explosive devices planted by an armed terrorist group near the town of Awram al-Zouz in Ariha area in the countryside of Idleb province.

SANA reported cited a source in the province as saying that the explosive devices weighed between 40 and 50 kg and were rigged to be remotely detonated to target citizens and law enforcement personnel.

English Bulletin

Abdullahian: Syria Needs No Military Aid, Its Army Would Confront Any Foreign Attack Strongly

Aug 04, 2012

TEHRAN, (SANA) – Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs, Hussein Amir Abdullahian, reiterated on Saturday Syria does not need military aid, adding that the Syrian armed forces have the capabilities to confront any foreign aggression.

He described media reports on Iranian military participation in the events in Syria as “mere accusations and false rumors”.

The Iranian official reiterated Iran’s political and moral support for Syria, stressing that Tehran supports the reform program in Syria and rejects any interference in the Syrian affair.

He added that Iran believes that the solution to the crisis should be political, expressing regret that some parties worked on foiling the plan of the UN envoy Kofi Annan.

F.Allafi/ H.Said

Armed Forces Clean al-Tadamun Area from Terrorists

Aug 04, 2012

DAMASCUS, (SANA) – The Syrian armed forces cleaned the area of al-Tadamun from terrorists and restored security to the neighborhood.

During a tour of the area, an official source on Saturday told SANA reporter that a mass grave was found in Daboul Street area, adding that armed terrorist groups kidnapped citizens and killed them before burying them improperly near Yelda area.

The source added that a field hospital and operation rooms were also found, highlighting that the armed terrorist groups used heavy weaponry including RPGs and DShK (Doushka) machineguns in addition to Mortar shells.

A number of media outlets toured the area and observed the army’s work to restore security and stability to the neighborhood.

DAMASCUS COUNTRYSIDE, (SANA)- The inhabitants of al-Hajar al-Aswad neighborhood in Damascus Countryside stressed that their neighborhood is close to restoring normal life after having been cleared of the terrorist groups which wreaked havoc in it.

With a large part of services and facilities put back into service after being damaged by the criminal acts of the armed group, the inhabitants seem to enjoy a feeling of reassurance as they have resumed their daily practices which have been paused under the acts of the gunmen.

The scene in the neighborhood is coming back to normal with the residents returning to their homes in considerable numbers and the markets brought back to life.

The Governorate of Damascus Countryside has employed all its capabilities to get all repair and rehabilitation works accomplished by the specified time to ensure strong return of the citizens.

About 80 percent of the electricity network have been fixed as the Ministry’s workshops are working persistently to restore electricity to all the houses and streets within a few days.

“The homeland’s defenders have performed their duty with full love and respect and preserved the course of normal life in the neighborhood,” Yehia, a shop’s owner, told SANA reporter.

Abu Mustafa, another resident, narrated the hideousness of the acts committed by the terrorist groups, which were reported live by the TV channels that are complicit in the shedding of the Syrian blood.

He related the story of how the gunmen attacked the police station of al-Hajar al-Aswad Region and killed, mutilated its members , referring to the burning down of the police station, the municipality and the court in the neighborhood.

A number of terrorists were killed or injured in the operation while others were arrested, with the armed forces confiscating weapons and ammo in addition to stolen medicine and medical equipment.

Syrian TV Correspondent Karim al-Shebani Injured by Terrorist Gunfire

Syrian TV correspondent Karim al-Shebani was shot by terrorists while he was accompanying an armed forces unit which was clearing al-Tadamon neighborhood of terrorists.

A source at the Syrian TV told SANA that al-Shebani was shot in the back and that his condition is good.

In an interview with the Syrian TV, al-Shebani said that terrorists opened fire on the news team as it was covering the events in al-Tadamon, hitting him in the back.

He said that his injury motivates him to exert more efforts to relay the truth to Syrians and everyone watching the Syrian national channels, adding that terrorists are targeting national media because it exposes the truth of their criminal and destructive mentality.

Al-Shebani said that the terrorists committed horrendous acts that couldn’t be shown on TV due to their heinous nature, yet the national televisions managed to relay the truth through interviews with citizens.

He added that the gunmen were all hooded and spoke in unusual accents, opening fire randomly and shooting at civilians, not only law-enforcement forces of areas where the army is located.

Authorities Clash with Terrorists on Aleppo-Raqqa Highway, Destroy their Cars

The authorities on Friday repelled an armed terrorist group driving SUV cars equipped with BKC machineguns on Aleppo-Raqqa highway killing and injuring a large number of them.

An official source told SANA reporter that the authorities destroyed the cars killing the terrorists inside them.

Terrorists Killed, Injured and Arrested in Aleppo and Its Countryside

The authorities clashed with another armed terrorist group in al-Khafseh area in Aleppo countryside, killing and injuring a number of its members and destroying their cars.

The authorities chased down a terrorist group in a farm near Maskaneh area and clashed with its members, killing and wounding them and damaging their cars.

On Thursday night, the authorities clashed with an armed terrorist group in the neighborhood of al-Inzarat in the city of Aleppo.

A source in the province told SANA reporter that the clashes resulted in killing and injuring a number of terrorists and arresting the others including Abdul-Hamid Ahmad Othman and Hussein Abdullatif. The terrorists’ weapons were seized.

The armed forces confronted groups of mercenary terrorists which attacked civilians and the TV & Radio Center in al-Iza’a region in Aleppo.

Armed Forces Uncover Tunnel Used by Terrorists in Deir Baalba in Homs

In Homs, an armed forces unit, in cooperation with locals, uncovered and took control of an extensive tunnel under the fields of Deir Baalbla which terrorists have been using as headquarters.

The tunnel, which was dug manually, contains 15 chambers containing areas where terrorists rested and others for torturing abductees, allowing terrorists to move easily due to the height of its ceiling (around 2 meters) and the presence of entrances and exists in concealed locations.

Authorities Clash with Terrorists in Tal Kalakh and al-Qseir in Homs

In the same context, the authorities clashed with terrorists who attempted to attack law-enforcement forces in Tal Kalakh killing many terrorists and wounding others.

The authorities on Friday chased sown a terrorist group that attacked citizens, blocked roads and shot at the passing cars in al-Qseir city.

A clash erupted with the group’s members leaving them dead or wounded.

Last night, the authorities raided a number of dens for armed terrorist groups in Gharbi al-Assi area in al-Qseir city in the countryside of Homs, inflicting heavy losses upon the terrorists.

Terrorist Group’s Members Eliminated in al-Hamidiyeh, Homs

The security authorities chased down and clashed with an armed terrorist group in al-Hamidiyeh neighborhood in old Homs, eliminating a large number of its mercenary members.

Authorities Kill Terrorists, Destroy Their Cars in Daraa Countryside

In Daraa, the authorities on Thursday night clashed with armed terrorist groups, some of whose members from Arab and foreign nationalities, that attacked citizens and committed acts of looting and blocking roads in Basr al-Harir area in the countryside of Daraa.

A source in the province said that the clashes resulted in the killing and injury of a large number of terrorists , in addition to destroying their cars and seizing their weapons.

Terrorist Abdullah al-Kasouri al-Hariri bin Hassan, chief assistant of terrorist Qaiss al-Qata’meh, who is a leader of an armed group in al-Lajat desert.

In the town of al-Ghariyeh al-Sharqiyeh in Daraa countryside, the authorities destroyed nine cars, some of them equipped with machineguns, killing the terrorists inside them.

Authorities Pursue and Kill Terrorists in Deir Ezzor

Authorities pursued an armed terrorist group which committed kidnapping and killing acts.

SANA reporter said that the authorities kill and wounded the terrorists, adding that among them were Mohammad al-Allo, Husam al-Assaf and Majed al-Hassan.

DAMASCUS, (SANA) – Minister of Health Dr. Wael al-Halki on Saturday called on the health directorates in all Syrian provinces to take the necessary measures to meet the basic needs of citizens who were forced to stay in public schools because of the current circumstances in some areas.

In a statement to SANA, Minister al-Halki pointed out that the services provided to citizens include medical examinations, vaccinations, basic medicines and baby milk.

The Minister stressed that no cases of communicable diseases have been recorded so far, adding that all vaccinations are available.

F.Allafi

Patriarch Laham Denies Media Reports on Arming Christians in Damascus

Aug 04, 2012

DAMASCUS, (SANA)- Patriarch Gregorios III Laham, Patriarch of Antioch, All the East, Alexandria and Jerusalem for the Catholic Church dismissed media reports on arming the Christians particularly in Damascus as “untrue”.

“No officials did call us about arming the Christians and we didn’t call any of them, neither did we ask for arming any of the Christian communities whether inside or outside Damascus,” Patriarch Laham clarified in a statement which SANA got a copy of.

He considered that “any attempt at arming by whatever party implies the danger of sectarian sedition and exposes the neighborhoods with a Christian majority to the risk of unknown transgressions.”

The Patriarch asked the Christians to refuse any offers for arming, calling upon them to play a reconciliatory role as to help in extending bridges among Syria’s sons, “which would be the lovelies message they send to their homeland and fellow citizens from all sects.”

H. Said

Palestinian Factions Condemn Attempts at Exploiting Refugee Camps against the Situation in Syria

Aug 04, 2012

DAMASCUS, (SANA)- The Palestinian National Alliance factions stressed that the Palestinian people will remain faithful to Syria who has embraced this people and its resistance and supported its national struggle.

The factions issued a press statement commenting on the crime which armed terrorist groups perpetrated in al-Yarmuk Camp and claimed the lives of a number of martyrs and the statements aimed at distorting the reality of this crime.

The statement said that there are conspiring parties that insist on taking the camps out of the context of their message and national goals, the most important of which is the right to return.

It added that the factions have since the beginning of the crisis in Syria made all their efforts to keep the Palestinian refugee camps away from suspicious political exploiting by parties hostile to Syria, stressing that the massacre was the result of mortar shells fired by armed terrorist groups from the neighboring al-Tadamun neighborhood.

The factions condemned the statements of “the authority in Ramallah” which included “false accusations” against the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command- and its general secretary, Ahmad Jibril.

The accusations, the statement explained, claimed that the Front seeks to get the Palestinian camps involved in the internal situation in Syria, “at a time when the Front has made all its effort to protect the camps and prevent them from being exploited outside their goals, on top being the right to return.”

The factions said in its statement that those who abandon 78 percent of Palestine’s land, dropp the right to return, practice oppression against the resistance fighters in Palestine in coordination with the Zionist enemy, stand still towards the judaization of Jerusalem and call for putting the situation in Syria under Chapter VII “are not in a position that allows them to trespass against the symbols of resistance or claim to care for the people in Syrian and other camps.”

The statement reiterated the factions’ stress that the Palestinian people are looking forward for Syria to get out of its crisis stronger and more firm in the face of the conspiracy targeting its unity and national and pan-Arab stance.

H. Said

Israeli Occupation Authorities Block SANA Website in the Golan

Aug 04, 2012

QNEITRA, (SANA)- The Israeli occupation authorities have blocked the website of the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) to prevent the citizens in the occupied Syrian Golan from accessing the website and following the news about the homeland.

The measure came in the framework of a campaign launched against the Syrian media to prevent the reality of the situation in the country from reaching the public opinion.

Journalist Ata Farhat from the Golan stressed, in a statement to SANA reporter, that this Zionist infringement on press freedom will not affect the Golan people’s reading and view of the events taking place in their homeland.

He added that the Golan people are aware of the conspiracy and the multi-faceted global war waged against Syria and its people.

The Arab League Council had asked the administrations of the Arabsat and Nilesat satellites to halt the broadcast of the Syrian official and non-official satellite channels.

The decision was aimed at continuing the war of media terrorism on Syria that is sponsored by some Gulf states in service of the Western, U.S. and Israeli agendas.

Sanctions had been imposed by the European Union on the Syrian TV, the General Establishment of the Radio and TV and Addounia TV to block their satellite broadcast.

The Israeli authorities’ blocking of SANA website in the occupied Golan is but part of the same campaign that is meant to achieve the same goal sought by the Arab League and the EU, which is to silence the voice of reality in Syria.

H. Said

Daily Telegraph: Muslim Brotherhood Establishes Militia inside Syria

Aug 04, 2012

LONDON, (SANA) – The Daily Telegraph newspaper revealed on Saturday that the Muslim Brotherhood has established its own militia inside Syria under the title “Armed Men of the Muslim Brotherhood”. The militia has a presence in Damascus as well as Homs and Idlib.

The newspaper said in an article publsihed on Friday that one of the militia organizers, who called himself Abu Hamza, said that he started the movement along with a member of the so-called Syrian National Council (SNC).

“We saw there were groups with weapons inside, so we decided to co-operate with them and put them under one umbrella,” he said.

Hossam Abu Habel, from the Muslim Brotherhood, was quoted in the article as saying that he raised $40-50,000 a month “to supply Islamist militias in Homs province with weapons and other aid.”

The newspaper pointed out that the so-called Syrian opposition is divided into extremist Islamist groups and other groups, adding that the backers are also divided: Qatar which supports the so-called “Syrian National Council” and Saudi Arabia which supports the so-called “Free Syrian Army”.

It referred to one activist who described how he was working with politicians in Lebanon “to buy arms for the FSY with Saudi money.”

According to teh article, a member of the so-called “Free Syrian Army” command center, located in neighboring Turkey, told the Daily Telegraph that “they have this week received large consignments of ammunition, machine guns and anti-tank missiles.”

The member added that at one point Saudi Arabia and Qatar were both funding the so-called Free Syrian Army, with the command center receiving “up to $3 million in cash every month.”

F.Allafi/H.Said

Chinese Foreign Ministry: Western Countries Are to Blame for Hindering Diplomatic Efforts in Syria

Aug 04, 2012

BEIJING/ NEW YORK, (SANA) – China on Saturday said Western countries are to blame for impeding the diplomatic and political efforts aimed at restoring security and peace in Syria.

Deputy Director of North African and West Asian Affairs at the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Wang Zijian, was quoted by the AP as saying that some Western countries have obstructed the political process by their efforts seeking to change the regime in Syria.

Wang reiterated his country’s stance that the solution in Syria must be a political one, stressing Beijing’ complete rejection of any military intervention.

Deputy Permanent Representative of China to the United Nations, Wang Min, stressed that the future and destiny of Syria should be determined by the Syrian people themselves, and the political settlement to what is taking place in the country should be led by the Syrian people and be accepted by all parties concerned in Syria.

The Chinese News Agency (Xinhua) quoted Wang in a statement following China’s voting against resolution on Syria at the UN General Assembly as saying that “To impose a solution from outside will not help defuse the Syrian crisis,” adding that China opposes any military action against Syria which aims at a ‘regime change’ in the country as well as sanctions which can only make the situation more complicated.

Wang added that the UN General Assembly adopting a resolution against Syria proves that putting pressure on one party only will not help solve the crisis in Syria, on the contrary, it will derail the crisis from the track of political settlement, escalate chaos and cause the crisis to spread to other countries in the region jeopardizing regional peace and stability.

He reiterated China’s regret over the UN Special Envoy to Syria Kofi Annan’s resignation, urging all parties concerned in Syria “to immediately and completely cease violence and create conditions for a political settlement to the crisis.”

Wang stressed the need for solving the crisis in Syria through political means.

He said that China has no interests in the Syrian issue and its goal is to preserve the interests of the Syrian people and Arab countries, and the interests of all countries as well as the basic rules governing international relations, including sovereign equality and non-interference in other countries’ internal affairs.

NEW YORK, (SANA) – Deputy Permanent Representative of China to the United Nations, Wang Min, stressed that the future and destiny of Syria should be determined by the Syrian people themselves, and the political settlement to what is taking place in the country should be led by the Syrian people and be accepted by all parties concerned in Syria.

The Chinese News Agency (Xinhua) quoted Wang in a statement following China’s voting against resolution on Syria at the UN General Assembly as saying that “To impose a solution from outside will not help defuse the Syrian crisis,” adding that China opposes any military action against Syria which aims at a ‘regime change’ in the country as well as sanctions which can only make the situation more complicated.

Wang added that the UN General Assembly adopting a resolution against Syria proves that putting pressure on one party only will not help solve the crisis in Syria, on the contrary, it will derail the crisis from the track of political settlement, escalate chaos and cause the crisis to spread to other countries in the region jeopardizing regional peace and stability.

He reiterated China’s regret over the UN Special Envoy to Syria Kofi Annan’s resignation, urging all parties concerned in Syria “to immediately and completely cease violence and create conditions for a political settlement to the crisis.”

Wang stressed the need for solving the crisis in Syria through political means.

He said that China has interests in the Syrian issue and its goal is to preserve the interests of the Syrian people and Arab countries, and the interests of all countries as well as the basic rules governing international relations, including sovereign equality and non-interference in other countries’ internal affairs.

R. Raslan/ Mazen

Rider Ahmad Hamcho to Second Qualifier of Equestrian Individual Jumping Event in London Olympics

Aug 04, 2012

LONDON, (SANA) – Syrian rider Ahmad Hamcho reached the second qualifier of the equestrian individual jumping event in the London Olympics.

Deputy Chairman of the Syrian General Sports Federation, Dr. Maher Khayatta, said in a phone call with SANA that Hamcho gave a strong performance, qualifying to the second qualifier along with 58 out of 75 riders who participated in the first qualifier.

Khayatta hoped that Hamcho will also perform well in the second qualifier which will take place on Sunday and reach the third qualifier, saying that Hamcho’s performance so far and his self-confidence should guarantee that.